Bhagavathi Nature Camp: A Karnataka stay with no distractions
Consider visiting Bhagavathi Nature Camp, an unorthodox and therapeutic spot in the Kudremukh highlands, if you need some fresh air as much as I do. This jungle lodge resort property in Karnataka is one of the best places to interact with nature, offering breathtaking vistas, the chance to spot wildlife, and plenty of other experiences. Bhagavathi Nature Camp is a fantastic adventure to escape the city life and be endowed by the wonders of nature, with no cellphone network and no worldly distractions.
Anyone who says camping isn’t supposed to be luxurious hasn’t been to Bhagavathi Nature Camp yet! BNC offers everything from luxury chalets to tented cabins, allowing you to have a more upscale experience while still paying for typical camping. The spirit of wanderlust takes over at Bhagavathi Nature Camp, whether it’s taking a quiet walk to the adjacent lake, trekking up the Kudremukh mountains, or lazing in a hammock beneath the stars! The stark elegance, verdant hills, waterfalls, and lush valleys draw many national and international trekkers and wildlife enthusiasts to this unspoiled region in Karnataka.
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Luxurious Nature Camping
I stayed at this JLR property as a guest of the Ministry of Tourism India, who arranged for me to visit several lovely locations for me to enjoy a wanderlust daydream. Many mountainous terrains belong to Karnataka, including the Kudremukh Wildlife Division and Agumbe Forest, both of which e the best jungle accommodation. We arrived at Bhagawathi Nature Camp, a fantastic starting location for several hikes, after a lovely two-hour journey from Udupi and around 11 km from Kudremukh.
Kudremukh is a landscape created solely by rain, and everything along the way, from isolated settlements to blossoming cardamom, palm, mango, and coffee trees, each anticipates the first rain. Mosaic hills and tea farms endure beautiful evergreen rain woods resembling a sky islet in Kudremukh, where water is accumulated by the natural scenery of rivers Bhadra, Nethravathi, and Tunga. Leopards, tigers, langurs, sambar, sloth bears, jackals, porcupines, and mongoose are among the wildlife found here.
BNC is an echoing forest where you may hear the Malabar whistling thrush and Malabar trogon, pied hornbill, and imperial pigeons humming in unison. The rushing streams and rivers are in harmony with each other! This camp is a nature lover’s dream, surrounded by beautiful forests. BNC is home to hundreds of King Cobras and Malabar gigantic squirrels, in addition to rich flora and fauna.
Bhagavathi Nature Camp Cottage #1
The lodging at Bhagavathi Nature Camp ranges from wooden chalets to tented cottages, all of which are well priced starting at INR 2.5K. Trekking, forest access fees, and full-board accommodation with breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all included in the BNC package. I stayed in Cottage No. 1, which was finished in wood and well-equipped with a giant bed, a walk-in closet, a work desk, a second single bed, a spacious tiled and sanitised lavatory, and plenty of charging points.
Private parking, wake-up service at 6 a.m., complimentary toiletries, and a dental kit on request are among the various amenities provided by the cottage. Every BNC cottage has an outdoor hammock for you to rest in. Take a guided tour of the property for an even more enjoyable experience. The Bhadra river passes alongside a nature camp where you may take a plunge in the undulating waters. Room service and medical assistance are also available at Bhagwati Nature Camp. The camp only offers first aid, and the nearest hospital is a long way away.
Even when all three meals are combined, the limited selection amounts to traditional Karnataka food that is quite delicious! However, a few continental dishes, in my opinion, would undoubtedly draw more tourists. The staff is kind, and I learned during one of our brief conversations that a Sambar deer has made this nature camp his permanent home and that he is frequently seen strolling around, unnoticed.
Overall, BNC is a fantastic destination for nature lovers looking for an undisturbed encounter with the great outdoors. In the monsoon, keep an eye out for leeches.
Jeep Safari Through National Park
In the evening, I went on a jeep safari to the summit of Kudremukh National Park, where I saw a lot of birds and even a couple of Sambars. On a clear day, you can see the white margin of the Lakya Dam and the blue borders of the Arabian Sea from this horse-face hill, which takes a short trek up. The national park is flourishing, with thick rainforests full of rising trees and soul-stirring sunsets at its summit. Because poaching is a major issue in this area, you must first obtain entry permits from range officials before trekking within Kudremukh National Park.
Amid general, BNC provided a fantastic internet-free escape in Kudremukh national park’s thick meadows. Kudremukh, near Udupi, is always the solution, whether you want to plan a long vacation or squeeze in a weekend trip. Kudremukh was a fantastic opportunity for me to reconnect with myself. I was surrounded by nature, breathing fresh air and wandering on undeveloped territory, both of which I had missed since the pandemic began.
You can either drive down or take a bus from Udupi to go to BNC. You might also rent a jeep cab because public transportation is scarce. The cost of a round trip from Karkala is INR 5000.
